A Powerpoint presentation is currently doing the rounds purporting to advise what you should do if you think you're having a heart attack when alone. The advice is to cough violently. While this may seem logical (the violent coughs kick-starting the heart) this isn't quite true.
Cough CPR as it's known is real but it is as yet not entirely proven to be effective (though initial tests are positive) However, this technique has only ever been used under strict medical supervision. The reason is that, performed incorrectly or inappropriately, it can
stop the heart instead of restarting it.
Snopes has a detailed article on the issue
here with links to websites of reputable organisations in the field. Given the potential dangers I thought it best to share this with the AG community.
